Gaara examined Mina up and down. His first opinion formed instantly.
This pink alien is rude and loud.
She was the first child he had ever met, though. Maybe all children were like that. Maybe it wasn't just her.
Hmm… He looked closer. She was kind of right—but also wrong. My eyes are shadowed. Hers are just dark.
Wait. His ears turned red. My sand is dropping. That's so embarrassing!
A few grains slipped from his sleeve and scattered onto the pavement.
Gaara immediately looked away.
Nope. It wasn't me. If anyone asks.
At the same time, Mina was inspecting him just as boldly. Whatever manners her mother had taught her were long forgotten in the face of pure curiosity.
Hmm… Yup. He's definitely shorter than me! That means I can boss him around! He has to be younger. Mom said I have to listen to people older than me. And adults too… I think? Eh. That part's probably not important.
"Gaara! It's time! You must follow me! I will lead you to school!" Mina declared triumphantly, pointing forward like a pro hero giving orders. She waved for him to stand behind her, mimicking the dramatic poses she'd seen on TV.
Gaara stared at her without blinking. He had absolutely no idea what she was doing.
Isn't everything she's done so far exactly what Mom told me not to do? And why is she waving her arms like that…? She's weird.
Mom said to follow the route to school. If I need help, ask an adult in a uniform. She did not say anything about following loud pink children.
What should I do?
Oh. I know.
"Sorry, I have to go." Gaara bowed slightly so he wouldn't be rude, then turned and continued down the path without hesitation.
Mina stared after him as if a strong gust of wind had just blown through her.
"Hmph!" She stomped her foot. Why?! I'm clearly older! He's supposed to listen to me!
"This isn't over! You'll follow me soon, you'll see! Ga-ara! Wait! I'm the leader!" she shouted, running after him. Gaara immediately sped up.
A short distance behind them, Rasa watched carefully. It was his turn to escort Gaara on his first day and meet the teachers afterward.
He wasn't the only one doing it. Plenty of parents walked a few steps behind their children, giving them space while still keeping watch. In a world full of quirks—and villains—independence had to be taught early.
Rasa felt a quiet swell of pride as he saw his son. He's making a friend already. Kurura is going to be jealous. That pleasant thought lasted exactly three seconds.
Because he was not alone. Beside him stood a very unsettling presence.
Ashido Yuno. Her pink face wore a pleasant smile. It did not reach her eyes.
Just wait until we get home, Mina, she thought sweetly. Making a friend does not excuse poor manners.
Rasa decided he wanted absolutely no part of that future conversation.
Unaware of their observers, the two children continued their debate.
"Let me lead!"
"No. I don't know you."
"I said I'm Mina!"
"You have no manners."
"That doesn't matter!"
"Yes, it does. Mom said they're important."
"But I'm older! That means I'm in charge!"
"How old are you?"
"Five!"
"I'm six."
"What?! No way! You're way shorter than me!"
"That doesn't matter."
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Musutafu Nishi Elementary School.
The entrance was crowded with students and parents pouring through the gates. The air buzzed with voices, footsteps, and the occasional flicker of quirks—tiny sparks, shifting colors, unusual features.
Gaara slowed. He had never seen this many people before. So many voices. So many quirks. So much movement.
A thin trail of sand slipped from his sleeve and onto the pavement. It began shifting, moving irregularly.
Before the crowd could sweep the children apart, Rasa and Yuno stepped in at the same time. Before Gaara got swept up in his emotions.
"You're doing great, son," Rasa said, rubbing the back of his neck before taking Gaara's hand. "I'll lead you where you need to go." He moved quickly. The unintended abruptness stopped Gaara's quirk from doing anything.
Rasa, entirely unaware, just had no intention of standing within reach of Mina's mother any longer than necessary.
"Mina~," Yuno said pleasantly, taking her daughter's hand. "Come with me, dear." Mina felt a chill crawl down her spine. She struggled against the villain... In vain.
The school gym was massive. To Gaara, it felt endless. Rows and rows of chairs stretched out beneath high ceilings. The noise echoed, loud and overwhelming. He sat beside his father. As for questioning why his father was here?
He already knew. He had seen him the moment he turned around to face Mina. However, the moment he saw the scary-looking older version of Mina, any interest he had vanished like the wind.
Deciding then, and there it was in his best interest to ignore the scary Mina. Looking away with the logic of if you can't see it, it can't see you. He decided that even if he found Mina interesting, the school was in his best interest.
Now here he was sitting through a speech in the gym, his father by his side. His nervousness had returned now.
Ignoring the speech, Gaara's nerves were racking up.
Would his dad stay? How long would he be at school? What would other kids be like? Would they be like Mina? What about his classes, would he do well in them?
Rasa sighed. He knew exactly what his son was thinking. As his father, he knew exactly what to do for his son.
Wrapping his arm over his son's shoulders in a rare display of affection, he spoke. "You just have to do your best. Something I know you'll do. Your Mom and I trust you. You just gotta be yourself, and that's something anyone can do."
In the crowded gymnasium, those words were all Gaara needed. "Got it. Thanks, Dad."
The entrance ceremony ended in a blink. Students were then led to homeroom by their parents.
Gaara stood before his class. It was his turn to introduce himself to his class.
"Please introduce yourself to your class." The teacher spoke to him when it was his turn.
"My name is Sato Gaara. I want to become a hero just like my dad. Please take care of me."